" old fashioned Christmas "

[Allhallowseve]

So it looks like Christmas this year may be a simpler affair . I am in a high risk area and not allowed to visit others houses currently and anticipate it going on for a while.
I usually put quite a lot of pressure on myself to make Christmas perfect , trips to Santa , shows etc while the kids are young enough to enjoy it . However this year with things being slightly different I really want to embrace a simpler "old fashioned Christmas" which I am certain were just as wonderful.
I was 4 in the 80s but my memories of Christmas were , the excitement of visiting a department store in town and seeing all the toys . The multicoloured fairy lights on the tree. My nans sherry trifle . My favourite gift and to be honest the only one I can really remember was a hand me down talking doll I loved it!
I was hoping you might share some of your memories from Christmas past to inspire me. It feels quite nice in a way to take a year off and just enjoy the little things this year.

Oh and we always put thr tree up on the 17th so the excitement was huge. We always had a traditional advent calender which I still like to have today.

Memories as child from early 70s

A lot of stuff was home made. I remember having a 'shop' (shelves with packets and a till) which my dad has made, a dolls house which a neighbour has made for his own daughter , clothes for my dolls which my mum had made .

Mum also made some presents for my school friends , little fringed purse bags and some home made sweets .

Home made decorations and most certainly all food home made from scratch .

My grandparents and elderly aunt came for Christmas dinner , and in the morning after we had opened our main presents, we walked round to see another older 'aunt and uncle' round the corner .

More presents after lunch exchange with grandparents , my brother and I would dress up (brother as Santa me as Christmas fairy) to hand there presents out .

When we were a bit older Christmas Top of the Pops . Always the Christmas film on TV (-Wizard of Oz or Sound of Music)

@Bbq1

I'm 47. I have a dbrother and dsis both older and my mum and dad gave us thr most wonderful, happy childhood Christmases and memories. I remember going into my mum and dad's room at 5am asking if Santa had been yet! We all rushed downstairs at 7am to find a stuffed pillowcase each full of gifts. Every year, i also got a new jogging suit. When we put the decorations up, my dad used to have to use a ladder to put up four enormous paper garlands that we strung from each corner of the room to the centre of the light. We used to go to Midnight Mass which was very exciting for us as kids. I clearly remember going into my brothets room to say it was time to go and he was playing the new release, 'Feed The World'. I can still remember some of my favourite gifts:

A doll I named Yvonne (!). She was big and you pressed on her shoulders and she 'walked'.

2 little dolls called Carrie&Christopher who were anatomically correct!

Onr year, I got 13 colouring sets from family, friends and Father Christmas!

As we opened our presents we would ask mum&dad who the gift was from and they would say 'That one is from us' or 'Oh, that one must be off Father Christmas!'

One of my strongest memories is sitting on my my dad's knee and showing him a card of custom made clothes my Auntie (who was very creative and artistic) had made for my dolls.

It was all so magical. I thought I heard sleigh bells one Christmas Eve. Such precious memories.

Those are beautiful memories My best personal memory is a bit like a Wordsworth's Spots of Time one- can't remember what came before, or after, but the moment itself is frozen in time. I would have been just six, and me and my Mum were walking home from my gran's early evening, Christmas Eve. I'd have been there all day because my Mum would have been at work. I can even pinpoint the bit of road we were on. I looked up at the sky, it was that clear, crisp, navy star-filled sky you get in winter and I just almost exploded with happiness, and anticipation, and the sheer utter joy of being 6 on Christmas Eve. That was the year I also received (hand made by grandad) a cot, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers for my dolls, handmade by Marjorie up the street clothes for the dolls. A red pram and twin dolls (Alison and Paul)

That's my favourite memory.

They're all gone now- but I hope one day to be part of a similar memory for DD and my grandchildren.

I remember we would wake up and open the our stockings from father Christmas, mostly consisting of fun flannels, pjs and underwear! Then we would take the dogs for a walk, me and my sister would always be 10 steps ahead of my mum and dad as we were so excited to get home to open their presents to us. They would purposely walk really slowly 😂. When we were older me and my sister worked at our local pub and we used to work Christmas day. Only in the morning, and my mum and dad would visit and have a drink and take the dogs for a walk while they waited for us. :)
I would love to be able to go have a drink at the pub this year but I'm unsure with rules what's going to be aloud.

Thank you @TheSeedOfadream. I really relate to a lot of memories on this thread. Your memory at the sheer joy of being alive on Christmas eve is lovely, i felt the same. My ds is 15 now and I tried and still do try to create wonderful Christmas memories. My dh isn't really a Christmas person but ds loves it and i think we've made some great memories over the years between us. Especially as my great pil's and my wonderful dad are no longer here. It really rang true when somebody upthread said Christmas when we were children wasn't about having more, it was about having 'less' in a way and the fact Christmas didn't start in September and we didn't a have so much 'stuff all through the year. Ds says that the best part of Christmas is being together and how happy people are. I love that.

Threads like this make me cry.

I have realised it’s thirty years now since my Gran died and she was such a Christmas lover.

Xmas day at her house was just the best. Loads of homemade food, shortbread, Christmas cake. The adults having a “wee sherry” and us kids being allowed irn bru all day.

I know that the 1970’s was a shit decade in a lot of ways but thinking about being a child then and how it felt like a nicer less commercialised time.

I've just cleared out my Grandma's old dresser and found her diary. She wrote on Christmas Day 2005 (she would have been 80), "such happy memories of Christmas past with my dear C and the children so excited and full of hope. The stockings, the food, the smiles. And then again years later with the grandchildren. What blessings. What wonderful times".

As I said upthread, she only died last year aged 94 and it's so lovely to think that at 80, looking back at those moments she didn't know she'd have 4 great grandchildren arriving over the next 6 years and would see them full of the same joy, hanging stockings and anticipating the big day.

I get my love of Christmas from her and it's comforting to know that she took the same joy in it as I did and still do, despite the changing world.

I was a child in the 70s. My memories are of decorating the tree and the whole lounge, particularly the fairy who went on top of the tree.
Food parcels from Granny in Ireland, she sent
Cheese called Calvita
Kimberley biscuits
Mikado biscuits
Coconut creams
White pudding

Mum made our Christmas cake and pudding, also a very boozy trifle!! After lunch there was usually a film like Wizard of Oz, Oliver, or Sound of Music. I would read a new Enid Blyton from my stocking.

Will Carols from Kings still be able to go ahead does anyone think? I suppose they could play an old one. I like that on in the kitchen Christmas Eve whilst I bake.

@missyB1

Will Carols from Kings still be able to go ahead does anyone think? I suppose they could play an old one. I like that on in the kitchen Christmas Eve whilst I bake.

I was wondered that too. Probably will be an old one or all sd.

I was also born in 1979 and I loved the build up to Christmas. I can quite clearly remember the first time I went to the cinema was to see Santa Claus the Movie and thinking it was the most magical thing in the world. However Christmas day always felt like an anti climax (especially as I got older) it was only ever the 4 of us and we were not allowed to watch TV (not even the Queen's speech) bearing in mind all the best telly came out on Christmas day, this just felt like pure torture! I was also envious of all those who had the big family Christmases with loads of relatives coming in and out, although this was probably due to the fact that I didn't get on with my brother so resented only having him to play with . I understand my dm's logic in insisting it was just a family day, but this was a step too far for me. Needless to say, as an adult, Christmas movie nights are now one of the highlights of the season for me

The BBC series Back in Time for Christmas was an absolute delight. It's not on iPlayer currently although there are some clips here www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06sq9m7

Maybe we can lobby the BBC to rerun it?

A walk on Boxing Day, well wrapped up, if it was a fine day, then home for a lovely hot meal and playing board games.

@thelegohooverer

My 1980s childhood was cold and boring. We didn’t have central heating so sitting around indoors wasn’t an option. We were outside running about with friends, or cosy inside huddled in the only room with a fire, either talking or watching tv. Winter was gloomy, particularly in a city of grey buildings to match the grey skies. Christmas was a much shorter season, only starting in mid December and the lights and decorations were magical. I have fond memories of lying on the living room floor fascinated by the play of light on the metal baubles and the foil ceiling chains. But I think that sort of wonderment comes from chronic boredom. My dc don’t know what boredom is in a world of non stop entertainment. Sweets were a rarity and Christmas dinner was a once-a-year extravagance. We didn’t get toys on every birthday (more often a pound note or a gift of new clothes) so Santa’s gift was really special and exciting. The anticipation on Christmas Eve was nearly painful. There just isn’t that contrast of extremes nowadays. Even advent, traditionally a period of fasting and reflection has been taken over by calendars with gifts every single day. I’m not criticising anyone here- my Christmas is pretty full on and ott. I think I’m unconsciously trying to recapture the absolute wonder of the past. But it came from having less not more.

"The anticipation on Christmas Eve was nearly painful"

So perfectly put @thelegohooverer , My aim as a parent at Christmas is for my children to have the tummy yearning feeling for Christmas to just hurry up and be here. In the first years of being a parent myself I feel I went over the top at of trying to do different things (elf on the shelf etc) I think personally it took the magic away. And I've went back to basics. My children were waking up every morning of Decemeber expecting magic, rather than just on the 25th. So there's no fancy antics now, our elf now just sits in the tree quietly observing.

I love Christmas, as so my wee ones and I like the old fashioned type!

@MarmaladeTeepee

I felt the same about the years my Mum insisted on just the four us which is why I feel so out of step with the threads on here which insist it's the best way. My mum put the TV on but to watch crap soaps and I squabble with my brother (love him now though!). As soon as I could, I hosted myself and had a house full of people. My children say it's their favourite thing about Christmas too.

1950's Christmas memories:
We lived in a rural area. I was an only child. Mother was a sahm at that time. One neighbor in walking distance.
Mother and I did everything together. Daddy would bring home the tree and we would make the decorations. Tinfoil stars, strings of popcorn and cranberries and construction paper chains all over. Sometimes ribbon bows as well. The only "ornament" we had was a ceramic angel tree topper and was set on carefully when all the rest of the decorating was done.
Food: Mother and I cooked together. Lots of sweets. Made about one a day for the two weeks leading to Christmas day. They would be stored away in boxes and tins until Christmas eve and day, but we would leave a sample plate for Daddy to try every night. We made butter cookies, fudge, pecan divinity, fondant balls, peanut brittle, fruitcake cookies, mince tassies (which were miniature mince pies) brandied fruit and finally -- gingerbread men.
On Christmas Eve I was allowed to stay up late and watch a special movie on television (black and white). I remember Shirley Temple movies and some Christmas programs with singing.
There were gifts - toys and clothes. Santa brought three gifts. One would be a book, one would be an item of clothing like a winter coat, but the third one would be something you really wanted but your parents had told you they couldn't afford!!!

Guns and ships yes we normally travel to family now on Christmas day and I love the hustle and bustle of it, seeing different people at different times punctuated by moments of calm when the DC are just playing and the adults snoozing. We're in a high risk northern town so I can't see any of that being possible this year, so my plan is instead to treat it as the ultimate pj/chill out day - new pjs for us all, lots of board games, Christmas films playing in the background, yummy treats... I may ration things beforehand so that Christmas day itself feels so much more special rather than just a lazy saturday.

The same films every year; I think "Stalag 13" was on for about 5 consecutive years!

This is a lovely listen:

@Defiantly41 I would absolutely love to see back in time for Christmas. I love that series but haven't seen the Christmas one .
I'm loving reading all of your lovely memories.

@TweeBree lovely I will give that a listen when I get a min currently feeding 7 mth old days catching up on this lovely thread.

What a lovely thread - really nice to recognise some of my childhood memories in some of these posts too!

The smell of the loft when my dad got the decorations down.

Getting the TV Times and looking which childrens movies would be on. And which Christmas specials were on that year.

The full house on Christmas Eve, excitement levels were high all day and there was so much laughter (and food!) in the house.

Dad shouting “he’s been!” and my Mum shoving wrapping paper in a blank bin liner in the middle of the living room as me & DB tore through all our presents on Christmas morning.

I remember the year I got a keyboard and the year my parents (well, Mum more than likely!) wrote a treasure hunt for me & DB to find our new bikes.

The cosiness of the house, the multicoloured lights, the feeling of pure happiness.

Reading MN over the years has made me realise how truly lucky I am to have had such wonderful childhood Christmases. To have had a full belly, in a warm house, feeling loved and safe with my family. It makes me so incredibly sad to think not every child experiences that. And I’m determined to make sure my own DS & DD have wonderful Christmases to remember too.

Beano and Dandy annuals and maybe Jackie as we got older (although we all read the others as we had youngr brothers.

Christmas sack with satsuma and quality street in the bottom plus a torch and colouring things and activity toys to amuse us for an extra hr or so

Sherry

Playing out in snow until everything was sodden and noses fingers and toes almost at chilblain levels and then in for hotchocolate

boxes of biscuits and chocolates

Lego building we loved this or board games or a jigsaw with Dad (He worked hard and we never saw enough of him)

One of us usually got a bike so if no snow/rain cold bike rides

We did a big dinner then we had a tradition of Sunday evening and christmas day we (the kids) did the eveningmeal/supper of cake tea and toast or sandwiches if we were more hungry. I was a 68 baby and the eldest and we did this from the time I was 8 or 9 and could make a cake by myself

Sometimes we sat round the tree having supper kids on the floor and told stories about diffreent relatives or occasions or what had happened in the year etc maybe waiting for some good tv to come on/ THE film etc

We also always got books in our stockings and often for a couple of hours different ones of us would escape to read

We always made presents as far as we could for each other (none of this having money to buy - there were 6 of us!) and sometimes this involved making sweets or favourite cakes or sewing things for each other. We also always ran the craft stall at the church fair and made loads of stuff for that working together.

This year for us will be very different. MIL came to use for the whole of our life together bar once when weather meant we couldn't go and get her and once in the early days before I realised without us she went no where. She passed away on Thursday so we have free reign this year.

I hope we all have a peaceful, illness free Christmas and take away some happy memories of not having the pressures of gallavanting round the country to "celebrate"

My colleague is German and told me her childhood Christmas memories - on Christmas Eve evening there would be the reveal of the fully decorated huge tree, and then she would be presented with her favourite doll, which her mother would have secreted away from her and handsewn a whole new beautiful set of clothes for.

I grew up in the 80s. I remember Christmas being very extravagent! My dad would put up all the shiny garlands in the lounge and dining room. The hall had the tree. My dad would decorate it (we weren't allowed to help as he was a perfectionist). I remember the 'wow' factor when we saw it. The coloured lights, the angel hair and lametta! We would put our stockings on our bed and I remember the excitement of waking to feel the weight on my legs! I used to love my stocking - full of novelty gifts, stationery, bath bits and chocolate! Under the tree was literally 100s of presents. Not all for us - for other relatives too. But my mum went very OTT on all the presents. I remember getting Teddy Ruxpin one year! We would have Christmas dinner with often my grandparents or my aunt, uncle and cousin. The table was beautifully decorated with gorgeous home made crackers and 'table presents'. There was a starter, (usually prawn cocktail, melon or sometimes avocado!) main course with all the trimmings (all home-made) and Christmas pudding for dessert and always a lot of fuss over setting it alight!! 20p pieces in the pudding! Then cheese, then coffee and after 8s! Went on forever! We would never watch TV on Christmas day as we would play games like charades and Trivial pursuit. But my dad would video the films for us that were planned from the double Radio Times! We'd have tea later on with mince pies and christmas cake.

When I first had DC I killed myself trying to recreate my childhood Christmases! But in all honesty I prefer things much simpler. The things I keep from my childhood are the picture advent calendars (much more Christmassy than the chocolate ones!). However I have got Lego/playmobil calendars a couple of times and their dad gets them a chocolate one, nowadays. Stocking from FC and presents under the tree from family. Aside from that I keep the stockings very simple and try to avoid novelties that won't be used and 'tat' (3 small presents plus socks, choc coins, satsuma and candy cane). I try not to go mad with the presents under the tree (failed last year tbh). My decorations are much simpler and my DC are allowed to decorate the tree! Christmas dinner is simpler (no starter, smaller amount of trimmings, no cheese) and not all homemade. Most of the time it is just us. We do it much more relaxed - the DC don't have to sit at the table for hours - if they want to barely eat anything then go off to play with their toys - it's fine with me. We eat our main course then have a break before pudding and coffee. And we have a lovely time and the 'magic' is definitely still there!